![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:17 • Filed to: Find me a car | ![]() | ![]() |
So, this month marks the last payment on the Fusion. I shall once again be car-payment free. I love my car. It's in great shape, at ~72K miles it has lots of life left, and is still under warranty until 100,000 miles ... and I'm thinking about selling it and buying some sort of classic car (that's easy to live with) as a daily driver.
Near as I can tell, my car is worth in the neighborhood of $11K-$13K. You can see where this is going already, right? That's correct, my little Oppodroogies, my challenge to you is to either talk me off of this most irresponsible ledge OR give me a suggestion of a bitchen new (ok, OLD) car to take the place of my very sensible and reliable 2010 Ford Fusion.
I am most attracted to cars from the '60s and am a Ford Guy, as most of you already know. That said, I loves me some vintage GM, Mopar and, well, just about anything that is not fragile like glass at 50-ish years old. What say you? Wanna pay the part of the Devil on Brian's shoulder to my wife's very nervous Angel?
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:22 |
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Not stupid. Goooooooooooooooood.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:23 |
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That makes zero practical sense, but we are not practical people. So many good cars available for that price range. If you didn't want terrible fuel economy, you could get a 200ci Falcon for well less than half that. Or any number of Mustangs. Or this, a super bitchin' '64 Ford wagon with a 289 & 3 on the tree:
https://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4655684474…
If you got that you'd be doing me a huge favor in taking it off the market, because I really, really want it.
Or this, a '65 Cutlass with a 455, that's across the street from my work, for $7k:
https://slo.craigslist.org/cto/4642246953…
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:23 |
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This seems like a relatively reliable choice for SoCal. It's injected so it's less prone to fires, and can be had for about 1/2 your budget, meaning you'll have plenty of spare change for any completely unexpected repairs.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:24 |
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Your son has....a Falcon I think?
Getting something with the same engine means you'd have a reason to stock pile parts, which would nullify the "old is unreliable" argument, since everything on a car that age isn't terrible labor-wise to replace.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:24 |
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I'll be the devil Brian on your shoulder and tell you to get a 2002.
It's just so pretty. And within your price range. And more reliable than the Alfa I was also going to recommend.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:26 |
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Fly out here and we'll road trip it back
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/4616903668…
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:26 |
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My God ... it's beautiful! Are you in my head? Because you pretty much nailed the bulleye, there.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:27 |
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Here is something else... 6 cyl for economy, convertible becasue California...
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:27 |
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I'm thinking about selling it and buying some sort of classic car (that's easy to live with) as a daily driver.
There are approximately 0 cars that are half a century old that are easy to live with as a daily driver. Hell, their reliability when new was worse than most beat to crap 5 year old cars today.
Only do it if you have a reliable backup.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:28 |
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How about this:
For a scant, $2000 , you could be harassed and arrested outside your nearest high school...
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:28 |
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I was hoping to go pre-smog but ... gawtdamn!
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:28 |
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You're gonna tell everyone to get a 2002, as much as I tell people to get a Porsche. :P
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:29 |
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No, he has a '55 Fairlane. I like Y-blocks but I'd prefer something no older than Windsor .
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:29 |
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"Don't listen that guy - he's trying to lead you down the path of righteousness. *I'm* going to lead you down the path that ROCKS."
You can get a pretty damn nice Falcon in that price range, just sayin'. Economical, easy to work on, cheap parts, pretty comfortable, easy to park.
If that's not your speed, you could get a rough Galaxie four door for that - though that means your fuel bill approaches apocalyptic. In the middle, 60s Fairlanes aren't too shabby - though one might want a Mercury if going midsize, because why the hell not?
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:29 |
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Finally (maybe) be my hero and drive this absurdly awesome suicide door Lincoln.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:30 |
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Isn't it great? I'm really considering nabbing it & asking spousal forgiveness later.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:31 |
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NICE! Anecdotally, the "tell" I use to determine if a Ford product is a '67 is the steering wheel and its bumpercar center hub ;)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:31 |
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keep making those car payments, but to your savings account instead! Then you can have TWO cars
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:32 |
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But the pre smog Alfas are less reliable (also more expensive)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:33 |
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Also that Cutlas is freaking glorious!
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:33 |
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But classic Porsches are getting expensive. Even 912s are out of my price range now :(
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:33 |
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*Looks at '64 wagon*
PWAH AGAMA - OFFEEM DAWLA GACHA. IFEM AHFWA AGWA
(Pray excuse me, I seem to have lost my jaw. I think it's on the floor somewhere)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:35 |
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It sounds like Freedom & Bald Eagles.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:35 |
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Actually that's not a Chestervan ... it has clear windows ;)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:37 |
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Maybe not in perfect condition....But you know what you could get. ;)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:37 |
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I'm hyperventilating right now ...
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:39 |
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I'm going to take this opportunity to recruit you to the SEC for $5750 .
But closer to your prompt, a 1963 Buick Riviera , 1965 Mercury Montclair Marauder , 1973 Volvo 1800ES , or a 1968 Lincoln Continental would all be good choices.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:41 |
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That's right! Well then, San Diego, eh?
Modern Luxobarge: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/cto/466485…
Keep the Fusion, weekend toy: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/466493…
The Throw a Grand At It Car: http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/466478…
I'll keep thinking.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:43 |
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Are you my wife?!
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:43 |
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I want that straight six so badly.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:44 |
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Don't you live in LA? You can find a bitchin 6-4 for that.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:45 |
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It is very clean.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:46 |
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Brian, The Wife of
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:47 |
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San Diego
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:47 |
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Cutlass...definitely the Cutlass.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:49 |
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Still.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:52 |
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NO NEVER
I'll never be part of the 944life, no matter how much you, Aaron, or Mathias try to talk me into it.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:53 |
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But it's not that bad! :)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 15:57 |
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*looks at Aarons article*
![]() 09/12/2014 at 16:05 |
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*Results may vary*
:)
![]() 09/12/2014 at 16:12 |
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Haha that's funny, I'll have to remember that trick. Now to see if, true to oppo-form, everyone has recommended you daily drive a classic.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 16:19 |
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oh man... Just came across this beauty! What a color for a Mustang!
http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/4633506638…
![]() 09/12/2014 at 17:58 |
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Wow! I wasn't really thinking Mustang because nice ones are really steep but damn ... that one looks tight and the wheels are an easy fix. Bonus points for AC.
![]() 09/12/2014 at 18:02 |
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68 Barracuda. Looks of a sexy muscle car with 6 cylinder of an econ car. Seller stays only 30k miles
http://columbus.craigslist.org/cto/4662650778…
![]() 09/13/2014 at 18:32 |
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Is it me or do the tires seem quite a bit bigger than stock?
I also like that it's well appointed, and by that I mean it has AC. Haha.
My big problem is that I want one of these in convertible and those are very very steeply priced :(